Page 185 of Storm of Bells
‘Incidentally, Karim has some documentsstashed underhisclothes as well.’
It was rather comical watching Mr RikkardAmbrose struggle to maintain an absolute lack of expression on hisface. He didn’t entirely succeed.
‘Miss Linton?’
‘Yes?’
‘You will need to pay for the bleach I shallrequire to wipe away the images you just put into my mind.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m supposed tocleanfor you?’
‘Rest assured. Only mentally.’
‘For that,’ I told him, reaching up to planta kiss on his cheek, ‘I shall always be available.’
After that, he held me just the tiniest bittighter.
Soon, we reached the carriage and settledinto our seats. The stable lad climbed up with Karim onto the box,where he surely would spend a riveting ride having a scintillatingconversation with his travelling partner about sabres, knives, andways to strangle people with your bare hands. Inside the coach,conversation wasn’t really the first thing on my hind. Yawning, Isank into the seat, suddenly hardly able to keep my eyes open.
‘Are you tired?’ Mr Ambrose’s cool voiceinquired out of the darkness.
‘Exhausted,’ I managed to get out. ‘All theexcitement of the last few days…I think it’s finally catching up tome. I know we’ve got to plan our next step, but…can it wait? Justfor a little bit?’
‘Well…yes. Don’t worry. We have…’ Ipractically heard the effort as he did his best not swallow histongue and the words along with it. ‘We have…plenty of time.’
One corner of my mouth curved up.
‘Indeed, Sir?’
‘Indeed, Miss Linton. Sleep. I’ll keep watch.No one will touch you.’
I was already drifting off to sleep, when Ifelt his fingers lightly brush over my hair and heard his last,whispered words:
‘No one but me. Now and forever.’
***
‘This one?’
‘No.’
‘How about this one?’
‘No.’
‘And this?’
‘No.’
‘And this one?’
‘No.’
‘Can you say anything except “no”?’
‘No.’
‘Why, thank you, Sir. You are being sohelpful.’
